Pune rape-murder: Hundreds protest on Mumbai-Bengaluru highway; traffic hit
Four-year-old girl’s body placed on road as protesters block Mumbai–Bengaluru highway; CM Fadnavis says case to be tried in fast-track court amid calls for strict punishment
Hundreds of people blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune to protest the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl, leading to traffic disruption on the busy route for about four hours.
The girl's family members and other demonstrators placed the body on the road in the Navale Bridge area on Saturday evening and demanded stringent punishment for the 65-year-old man arrested in the case.
Accused in police custody
Several videos surfaced showing a huge traffic jam on the highway. Later, the victim's last rites were performed at the Vaikunt crematorium in Pune shortly after midnight amid tight police security.
The accused, who works as a labourer and has a criminal record, allegedly lured the girl with the promise of food on Friday in the Bhor tehsil of Pune district. He then took her to a cattle enclosure where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and later killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to the police. He was arrested based on CCTV footage from a private residence, which captured him with the child.
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A case was registered against him under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and he has been remanded in police custody till May 7.
Maharashtra govt vows justice
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also heads the home department, said on Saturday that the state government will demand capital punishment for the accused. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, he said: “The case will be taken up by a fast-track court.”
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Saturday met the family of the victim, assuring them of strict action against the accused and a fast-track trial. Describing the incident as "shocking" and a "blot on humanity", Pawar said the government stands firmly with the victim's family and will ensure justice. She also spoke to CM Fadnavis and sought a fast-track court trial so that the accused receives the harshest punishment.
(With agency inputs)